Canadian Trails

B.C.’s Sunshine Coast

Only an hour from Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast is a must-visit destination in the summer and fall. Runners of all levels can choose trails along the ocean or through the forest, while also exploring the unique communities that make the area so sought-after.

Accessible only by ferry, the Sunshine Coast makes a perfect running day trip, whether you bring your car or bike on the ferry, or simply walk on. (There is local public transit if you arrive on foot.) Not only are there numerous paths and trails to explore, but there are also lots of great spots for local beer, food and coffee.

Mount Elphinstone, Langdale

Mount Elphinstone is the tallest peak on the southern part of the Sunshine Coast, and this is your go-to trail for those seeking a challenging climb and a fast descent. There are two entry points near the ferry terminal (one just a one-kilometre jog away). This 13-kilometre out-and-back path allows runners to get in some serious vertical, totalling over 1,000 metres. The trail is well maintained, and along the way you will cross marshes, creeks and ponds while running through remnants of an old-growth forest. From the top you can see the coastal town of Gibsons, Bowen Island, Vancouver and the United States. There are also countless other local paths that will take you past Gibsons and all the way to Roberts Creek and beyond.

Cliff Gilker Park, Roberts Creek

Situated i n Roberts Creek, a 15-minute drive (or a 35-minute bus ride) from the Langdale ferry terminal, Cliff Gilker Park is a foot-traffic-only park that offers runners a variety of colour-coded routes spanning more than seven kilometres. The paths run through Douglas fir and red cedar forests, over wooden bridges and beside waterfalls. There are four trails to choose from, all carefully marked and some that intersect. (A major bonus for runners is the absence of bikes on these trails.) Once you’ve run to your heart’s content, you can spend time in the adjacent playing field, where there are picnic tables and public washrooms, before making your way back toward Gibsons or onward to Sechelt.

The Suncoaster Trail, Halfmoon Bay

From Roberts Creek, it’s a 25-minute drive (or approximately one-hour bus ride) to Halfmoon Bay, where you can access the Suncoaster Trail, one of the latest community construction projects to be completed on the Sunshine Coast. This 37-kilometre trail is ideal for those looking for a longer run without adding too much elevation. At two metres in width, the footpath extends along old Crown land forest roads and has numerous exit points. The trail presents easy-to-moderate terrain and crosses many lakes along the way, allowing you to add a mid-run dip. For those who are too fatigued to do it all in a day or who want to extend their time on the coast, there are campsites and accommodation options in close proximity to the trail.